Uncertain future: A decision on whether to keep Mick Potter as Tigers coach will be taken by a new board effectively controlled by the NRL at the end of the season. Photo: Getty Images

After recently being touted as the favourite to replace Potter next season, Payten is understood to be on the outer with the current Tigers board – a development that may create further friction at the joint-venture club.

Payten, who played 151 games for Wests Tigers between 2004 and 2011, is favoured by many of his former teammates and the young stars he coached in last year’s under-20s team to take over next season if Potter is axed.

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However, fellow assistant David Kidwell has emerged as the most likely option and Fairfax Media has been told by several sources Payten may not be at the club at all.

The decision on whether to retain Payten will be made by Potter if he survives or whoever replaces him.

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After a board meeting on Sunday night decided to defer a decision on Potter until the end of the season, his future is set to be decided by new directors – comprising three NRL appointees and two each from Wests Group and Balmain – expected to take charge of the club by late August.

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With the Balmain faction being denied voting rights until the 1908 foundation club repays a $4 million loan from the NRL to meet its financial obligations to the joint venture, the three independent directors to be appointed by the NRL will effectively control the Wests Tigers board.

Facing the axe: assistant coach Todd Payten is well supported by Tigers players but is on the outer with the current board. Photo: Getty Images

While not a condition of the $8million overall rescue package for Wests Tigers, the NRL is understood to have been keen for the club to complete a review of its football operations before the governance restructure.

It is the report compiled by Brian Smith that has mistakenly been blamed for the speculation about Potter’s future.

Fairfax Media has been told Smith’s recommendations do not even mention the head coaching position as the main focus of his review was to look at development pathways from under-13s to under-19s and the resources invested in the club’s senior teams, such as why there are three full-time staff employed for the under-20s and none for the NSW Cup side.

Tigers officials are also adamant skipper Robbie Farah has been wrongly accused of undermining Potter and were so concerned for the welfare of the NSW Origin hooker that chief executive Grant Mayer issued a statement in his defence on Monday.

‘‘The unnecessary focus on our captain Robbie Farah is damaging and disrespectful to a player who has given his heart and soul to the Wests Tigers and is a life member of this club,’’ Mayer said. ‘‘Robbie is an integral part of Wests Tigers and we know he will be a part of this club for many years to come,’’ he said. ‘‘Robbie and the players have stated publicly that they support the coach and that their focus is to make the top eight in 2014.’’

Farah was so distraught after former great Gorden Tallis alleged on Triple M before Sunday’s match against St George Illawarra the Tigers star had privately said last year that Potter ‘‘can’t coach’’ that he told his manager Sam Ayoub he wanted to quit the club.

Channel Nine reported Farah was also upset that video of an eight-minute media conference he gave on Saturday was edited to five minutes before being posted on the Wests Tigers website and did not include positive comments he made about Potter. In a passage missing from the edited video, Farah said: ‘‘I think [Potter] has done a really good job in the time he has been here, he has done his best and he continues to do his best for this club and as players we will do the same for him and the club.’’

Potter, who is understood to have a verbal agreement his contract will be extended for 12 months if the Tigers make the finals, said before the game he had ‘‘a fair idea’’ where rumours about his coaching ability were coming from.